King Makes Move to San Antonio

Former Rowdies defender brings extensive experience to SAFC back line

SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio FC announced on Tuesday it had signed former Tampa Bay Rowdies defender Darnell King for the 2018 USL season, pending league and federation approval.

A Florida native, King spent his first six seasons of his professional career in the Sunshine State, competing for three seasons apiece with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers and the Rowdies. The 27-year-old appeared in 24 matches last season for Tampa Bay as he surpassed 2,000 minutes of action to help the side finish third in the USL’s Eastern Conference in the regular season. King recorded a team-high 61 tackles in addition to 66 interceptions in his third year with the club.

“We are excited for Darnell to join San Antonio FC for 2018,” said SAFC Head Coach Darren Powell. “He is an experienced right back that has played in many high-level games, and we are looking for him to continue his good run of form here in San Antonio.”

King has made more than 150 appearances as a professional, with his standout season coming in 2014 for the Strikers when he was named to the league’s Best XI as Fort Lauderdale reached the league’s championship game.

“I am excited to start a new journey here in San Antonio,” said King. “Hopefully I can bring my attributes and my talents here and help the team out. The guys have been very welcoming and great professionals, and I have always loved playing here at Toyota Field, so I am excited to play every home game here. This is a strong team, so I am glad to be joining them and hopefully we can bring a championship to San Antonio.”

SAFC also announced it had mutually agreed to part ways with defender-midfielder Mark O’Ojong, allowing him to tend to personal matters in Cameroon.